ASMAA FATHÎ

Cairo- While the Covid-19 pandemic negatively affects all people around the world; it also causes many NGOs to halt their activities and studies. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, domestic violence cases have been increasing. During the pandemic, the Arab Women Organization has released many reports about the impact of the pandemic on women and girls. The last report released by the organization is “The impact of crises and disasters on women and girls in the Arab world”. Hind Al-Shalakany, head of the Studies, Publication and Media Unit at the Organization Arab Women, attended the 23^rd Cairo International Book Fair. At the book fair, we spoke to her about the research work and activities of the organization.

“Empowering mechanisms are needed”

At the seminar held at the book fair, you made a speech about “The impact of crises and disasters on women and girls in the Arab world”. What is the purpose of this research work?

We saw how the pandemic affected the people. We witnessed that women and girls suffered more from the pandemic, particularly in the Arab world. What drew our attention during this period were the challenges faced by women. The challenges faced by women showed us that empowering mechanisms are needed to carry out research about the situation of women. About the last research work of our organization, the research work discusses the impact of crises and disasters on women and girls in the Arab world. And these crises are classified as economic and natural disasters, including the Covid-19, armed conflicts and forced displacement and refugee problems. In the research work, the Arab Women Organization has made a series of recommendations for all groups to receive support and assistance.

Has your organization worked on any research or publications recently?

The Arab Women Organization has not suspended its research work because research work is very important for us. Last year, we worked on many scientific books, researches and general political articles about women.

“We have worked coordinately with other organizations”

You have released many reports and researches until now. Have you worked with other organizations?

The Arab Women's Organization is always open to cooperation with other partners. We have worked coordinately with other organizations such as Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Arab Administrative Development Organization and labor organizations. We have carried out several projects, including the project about gender quota, with the New Woman Foundation (NWF).

“We have carried out our activities with women against gender-based violence”

Women are subjected to violence all around the world. What kinds of activities and actions does your organization carry out to combat violence against women?

Unfortunately, the number of women being subjected to violence has been increasing due to the Covid-19 pandemic and economic crisis affecting the whole world. Our organization has carried out many activities and actions in Arab region to fight violence against women. We have recently worked on a project to document comprehensive data on the number of women being subjected to violence. We hope that the data of our research can be used for determining a strategy or enacting law at the regional level.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjy9NYGgOFY